A sandalwood farmer from Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district was rescued by police after he allegedly attempted to take his own life near the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Tuesday, claiming that he had not received adequate compensation for land acquired for a National Highway project.

The farmer, identified as Vishukumar, reportedly climbed a tree behind the Vidhana Soudha premises and attempted to hang himself. Alert police personnel intervened in time and persuaded him to come down, preventing the situation from escalating further. He was subsequently taken into custody and questioned at a nearby police station.

Authorities have not yet released an official statement detailing the circumstances of the incident or the status of the compensation dispute.

Long-Running Land Acquisition Grievance

According to Vishukumar, a portion of his agricultural land in Chikkamagaluru was acquired in 2016 for a highway expansion project undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He claims that the compensation offered for the land and sandalwood trees growing on it was significantly lower than its actual value.

The farmer has alleged that he is entitled to a substantially higher compensation amount and has repeatedly approached government departments and officials seeking a resolution. He maintains that delays and disagreements over the valuation process have left him under severe financial and emotional strain.

Series of Protests Over the Years

The latest incident is not the first time Vishukumar has resorted to dramatic forms of protest. In previous years, he staged demonstrations near Vidhana Soudha to draw attention to his grievances regarding land acquisition and compensation.

Reports indicate that he has consistently argued that sandalwood cultivators and farmers affected by infrastructure projects are not receiving fair compensation for their losses. His protests have sought to highlight what he describes as administrative delays and shortcomings in the valuation process.

Focus on Land Acquisition Disputes

The incident has once again drawn attention to the challenges surrounding land acquisition for public infrastructure projects. Farmer groups have often raised concerns about compensation assessments, delayed payments and disputes over valuation methods.

As officials continue to examine the matter, no formal announcement has been made regarding Vishukumar’s claims. The episode underscores the need for timely grievance redressal mechanisms and transparent compensation processes to prevent such situations from escalating into crises.

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